Bark River Broncos Buck Indians

It took a gang of Indians to bring down this Bronco runner. The Bark River Broncos lived up to their nickname last Friday night as they ran roughshod over the Newberry Indians, despite wining only one game prior to the October 4 make-up contest at Newberry.

Originally the two teams were not scheduled to play, but Manistique was forced to forfeit its game with Bark River, so the Indians and Broncos were able to get together.

The Indians had their chances. The game was tied at 22-all going into the final quarter. Austin Troop had carried the ball over from the three-yard line with 1:21 to go in the third. Jaylen James added the two-point conversion to tie the game. Bark River then drove down to Newberry’s 10-yard line, but a tough Indian defense forced a fumble that Keltin Dunbar recovered.

The Indians then took over, but lost senior Devin Carson to an ankle injury on the play and could not advance the ball past their own 39. A bad snap on the punt attempt sent James scurrying after the ball as it sailed over his head. He got the punt off, but Bark River took over on the 50.

Logan McCormick blocks Bronco Wyatt Massie as Austin Troop looks for an open space. It took the Broncos 10 plays before Dylon Lippens scored what turned out to be the go-ahead touchdown with 1:05 left on the clock. Fellow Bronco Willy Schmidt booted the extra point to make the score 29—22 in favor of Bark River.

The Indians tried, but with very little time left they could not sustain a drive and lost possession on downs. Bark River then ran out the clock.

The Indians scored the first touchdown of the night. James capped off a four-play, 43-yard drive with a 36-yard touchdown run. Brandon Christensen added the twopoint conversion, giving the Indians an 8—0 lead.

Bark River answered with an 11-play, 65-yard drive that Bronco quarterback Nick Javurek ended with a sevenyard pass to Schmidt. A successful two-point conversion tied the game with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Disaster struck Newberry as the Broncos were successful in recovering an onsides kick at the Indian 40. Javurek capitalized with another touchdown pass to Schmidt, and again added two points to go up 16—8 with 1:47 to go in the fist quarter.

Again the Broncos were successful in recovering another onsides kick; however, James ended their threat with an interception. He ran it back all the way, a 70-yard TD run, but a block-in-the-back penalty called on Newberry negated that score.

It didn’t matter for long. The Indians’ Christensen took the ball on Newberry’s first play after the interception 62 yards for the touchdown. Unfortunately, the conversion failed, leaving Newberry down two points, trailing 16—14.

Bark River increased its lead to 22—14, completing a 68-yard drive with a fouryard touchdown run by Colton Brunette, but the Broncos also didn’t convert for the extra two points.

The Indians had a chance to score as they drove 60 yards, but stalled out four yards from the end zone. Newberry’s defense, in turn, stopped the Broncos’ next drive when James stole the ball from a Bronco pass receiver five yards from their end zone just before the first half ended.

Newberry accumulated 256 yards rushing on 29 carries. Brandon Christensen had 137 yards and Jaylen James 81 yards. Austin Troop was two for four in passing for 57 yards.

Bark River-Harris had 301 yards rushing on 51 carries. The Broncos were three for eight in passing for 44 yards.

Logan McCormick had 13 tackles with three assists to lead Newberry. Richard Nalette and Ivan Oswald contributed six tackles each, while Jaylen James had five tackles and two interceptions for the Indians.

On Deck

The Junior Varsity travels to Johannesburg-Lewiston this Thursday, October 11. The Jo’Burg Varsity visits Newberry this Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.